She stood at danger’s threshold then love beckoned her in.
In the shelter of her country cottage, Sara Fielding puts pen to paper to create dreams. But curiosity has enticed the prim, well-bred gentlewoman out of her safe havenand into Derek Craven’s dangerous world.
A handsome, tough and tenacious Cockney, he rose from, poverty to become lord of London’s most exclusive gambling housea struggle that has left Derek Craven fabulously wealthy, but hardened and suspicious. And now duty demands he allow Sara Fielding into his world with her impeccable manners and her infuriating innocence. But here, in a perilous shadow-realm of ever-shifting fortunes, even a proper “mouse” can be transformed into a breathtaking enchantressand a world-weary gambler can be shaken to his cynical core by the power of passion. . .and the promise of love.
Sara Fielding is doing “research” down in a the rookery when she hears a man being attacked. What she comes upon is Derek Craven, one of London’s richest men, being attacked. Sara helps Derek return to the gentleman’s club that he owns. She becomes friendly with Derek’s factotum, Worthy, and he allows Sara to have run of the club during the day so that she can get information for her next novel. But Derek’s not thrilled about that at all. He seems to have an attraction to Sara that he wants to do nothing about and he doesn’t want her around.
Sara seems to be having a thing for Derek as well but she’s almost engaged to Mr. Kingswood back in Greenwood Corners – where she hails from. But once she returns to GC Mr Kingswood isn’t thrilled with the woman that he thinks Sara’s become.
Spurred on by friends of Derek’s as well as an evil ex-paramour of Derek’s, Sara finds herself with Derek but is everything she’d thought it would be?
This was one of KristieJ’s DIK picks and a book that many a friend have talked about as being really good. I have to agree. It was a really good book that i enjoyed reading.
I loved that Derek was not the typical romance hero. He was born in the rookery, raised by prostitutes and had done some awful, abhorrent things in his life. But he was a man who needed love and Sara was there for him. I can understand why he thought he didn’t deserve her – he probably didn’t, but it didn’t stop their love from blossoming.
Overall a very different romance but one I really enjoyed.
Rating: 4.25 out of 5
It's a good book. I really loved Kleypas when I first discovered her because she wrote about these guys who weren't from the aristocracy. And made them noble and heroic.
But, you know, Derek isn't my favorite. (she says to get Kristie riled up)
My first LK read was SUDDENLY YOU, which I didn't really enjoy so I was a bit wary when I picked up DoY. I loved it. I think I loved it to pieces because Derek was the first historical rom hero who wasn't an aristocrat. How refreshing. That and the bit with Sara's spectacles. He stole my heart forever with that move. 🙂
So many readers love this one and Derek. He's one of my favorite types of heroes. And Sara is a strong heroine, not a pushover. One of my favorite Kleypas. Great review!
Have you read Worth Any Price? Nick Gentry *sigh*
Great review, Tracy.
I must be one of the very few readers who don't like Derek. I found him uncouth and brash, and generally unappealing. I wonder whether this is because I'm British and therefore don't have the US love of a self-made man.
*whispers* I haven't read any LK…
Lori – I haven't read a lot of her older novels but she's always a good entertaining read.
Scorpio – I have Suddenly You in my TBR.
The first Kleypas I read I liked but didn't love and couldn't figure out what the fuss was about! lol Then I read her contemporaries which I love and that settled the deal for me.
Yes, Sara's spectacles! That was very heart-warming part of the book.
Leslie – I have Worth Any Price in my TBR but haven't read it yet. I'll have to dig it out.
Jenre – I must say I was wondering about your thoughts on the book when I saw your rating on goodreads.
I agree he was brash and uncouth but I think that's why I liked him – kind of the anti-romance hero. 🙂
Chris – *waves* shh – that's ok.
Love this book, glad you liked it as well. Derek was such a great hero!
I'm so glad you liked this one. I'm still oddly surprised when I see readers who haven't read this book. For me it's such a delightful book that when I see of one who hasn't read it, I can't help but 'encourage' them to give it a try. While I love Sarah, Derek is just the ultimate hero for me and is everything I love in my romance heroes *g*
Absolutely one of my favorite Kleypas books!
Glad you liked this! It's one of my favorites. 😛
Wena – He was a great hero – despite all of his faults!
KristiJ – I haven't read a lot of her older books so I'm trying to catch up. This was a good excuse to pick one up. 🙂
Amy – It was great! I need to pick her up more often.
Ames – Seems to be a lot of peoples favorites! 🙂
This is one of my top two favorite Lisa Kleypas books. I love Derek Craven.. and the story as a whole. Loved the way he stole and kept Sara's spectacles in his pocket.
You MUST read Worth Any Price. Leslie is right, Nick is drool & sigh-worthy. he's my all-time favorite Kleypas hero (and this comes in pretty close to my all-time favorite historical).
Hilcia – Yes, those spectacles in his pocket was so heart-warming. I really loved that part.
Lori – Ok I'll read it! I need to dig it out of the shelves…if I didn't already lend it to my mom. Uh oh, now I have to go find it! lol